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It is with our deepest regret we announce the death of a beloved EMS provider, EMT Robert Ashby Sr. EMT Ashby was working for Christiana Community Ambulance in Lancaster County when he felt ill while on-shift and passed away unexpectedly following his shift. EMT Ashby also worked at Modena Volunteer Fire Department and EMS in Chester County. In addition to his career in EMS, he dedicated his life to several fire departments within Lancaster and Chester Counties, includung serving as Assistant Fire Chief of the former Atglen Fire Company.

EMT Ashby will receive full EMS honors as his life is memorialized. The visitations will be held on Thursday, October 5, 2017, from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM and Friday, October 6, 2017, from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM. A service will be held on Friday, October 6, 2017, at 11:00 AM. The location of the visitations and service will be held at DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 410 North Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380. EMT Ashby will be honored with a motor procession following the service by the EMS agencies and fire departments in which he was affiliated. EMT Ashby’s final resting place will be St. Agnes Cemetery, 1050 Pottstown Pike, West Chester, PA 19380. Fellowship will follow at the Keystone Valley Fire Department East Station (Pomeroy) located at 1918 Valley Road, Coatesville, PA 19320.

He was born January 16, 1950 in West Chester, PA, and was the son of the late Robert Ashby and Ann Elizabeth Baldwin Ashby.

Bob graduated from Henderson High School, and was involved in varsity wrestling and soccer.

Bob celebrated 46 years of marriage on May 15, 2017 with his wife, Debra.

He was a US Air Force Veteran.

Bob started his career in EMS at Good Fellowship Ambulance. He then joined First West Chester Fire Company which started his firefighting career. At First West Chester, he involved himself in every class available to become a better fire fighter, and served in many positions there.

After moving to Atglen, he joined the Atglen Fire Company. There he would help in training, and served in other capacities. He retired from there as an Assistant Chief. Bob was a lifetime member of both First West Chester and Atglen. He continued to want to do service, so when he retired from the tank trailer industry, he decided to work part time at Modena Ambulance and Christiana Ambulance. Bob loved helping people in any situation.

Bob retired from the Tank Trailer Industry with over 45 years in experience. He was the go to guy for any questions or problems that needed to be answered. He also designs several pieces of equipment that helped with that industry.

Bob was a NASCAR and NHRA fan. He looked forward to going down to North Carolina to visit the NASCAR shops.

Bob loved to make people laugh, and was always ready to get something started. He was caring and passionate about his family, friends, the fire service and being an EMT. He believed in doing things right the first time.

In addition to his wife Debra, he is survived by his children, Jenn Ashby-Williams (Rob Williams), Kara and James; also, his sister Deborah Herb (Don Herb).

He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Jr.

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Thursday, October 5, 2017 from 5-8pm and on Friday, October 6, 2017 from 9:30-11:00am at the DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 N. Church St. West Chester, PA 19380, 610-696-1181, www.DellaFH.com; followed by his Funeral Service at 11:00am.